laflin



(No Model.)

J. M. LAPLIN.

APPARATUS FOR TAKING VAPOR AND HOT AIR BATHS.. No. 267,002. Patented Nov. '7, 1882.

tape or string, a serves to make a tight fit of PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. LAFLIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR TAKING VA FOR AND HOT-AIR BATHS.

SPECIFICATION forming To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. LAFLIN, of the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Taking Vapor and Hot-Air Baths; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, showing the apparatus in use; and Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the peculiar cloak forming part of the entire apparatus.

I provide a cloak made of rubber cloth or other suitable airtight material, which should be. capable of resisting a moderate degree of heat, and I combine said cloak with an aircushion in such manner that these two objects may serve conjointly for taking vapor baths, and may also be used separately for various purposes.

In the drawings, A is the cloak, of rubber cloth or other suitable material, formed with a sufficient opening, 03, for the neck of the user. This opening is continued in a moderatelylong slit down upon the breast, so that the cloak can be put on and taken off easily. There are also one or two openings, a, in convenient position on the sides of the breast, so that the person using the apparatus can, it he so desires, put out his hands through the same. The openings at and a are preferably doublelapped and closed by means of buttons. A

the collar a around the neck of the wearer. If desired, a buckle may be provided on one end of the tape a to firmly and tightly secure both ends together.

B is a bag or cushion, that may be fastened along its upper edge to the interior of the cloak, in the back. A small pipe, I), extending from oueedge of said bag communicates with the interior of the latter, and is provided with a suitable mouth-piece and with a checkvalve; (Not represented.) Through this pipe 1) air may be blown into the cushion or bag B, so as to form thereof a comfortable air-cushion when the apparatus is in use.

a is asmall hole in the centerof the breast,

covered, under ordinary circumstances, by a part of Letters Patent No. 267,002, dated November '7, 1882.

Application filed May 19, 1882. (No model.)

small flap, as shown. The use of this hole will be explained further on.

O is an alcohol-lamp, formed with a broad base, 0, having a raised rim, 0. The body of the lamp itself is of snfiicient height so as to form a liberal circular space that may be filled with water. By this means any danger of fire is prevented in case the lamp should be upset. c is a small cup of sheet metal, supported on a ring carried on the upright arms or legs 0, directly above the lamp proper.

When the apparatus is to be used, the patient first undresses himself and puts on the cloak A, taking care to well button up the opening a and to tie or buckle the tape a as tight around the collar 0. as will be comfortable, and proceeds to take his bath in the ordinary or any desired manner.

When the patient desires to use the cushion B be first fills the same with air by blowing through the pipe I). Then he fastens the pillow B to the cloak A, and, on seating himself, arranges the pillow in the most convenient position, as shown in Fig. 1.

D is a thermometer, that may be suspended on a hook on the chair or otherwise carried under the cloak A. \Vhen the temperature rises the patient may at intervals extend the thermometer through the hole a in order to ascertain the temperature, and, according to circumstances, he may then keep the hole a open for a short period in order to let some of the hot gases escape, or he may, immediately after looking at the thermometer, close the hole a again and remain exposed to the vapors for a further more or less prolonged period.

A small hole is provided near the lower rim of the cloak A, through which the end of a pipe, d, may be introduced, the outer end of said pipe being attached, say, to the nozzle of an ordinary tea-kettle standing on the stove, or to a funnel properly arranged over a gasjet, or to any other convenientsource of heat or vapor.

The cushion B may, as well as the cloak A, 9

serve for various other purposes besides in its connection with the entire bathing apparatus, as described. In emergencies this pillow may do good service as a lit'e-preserver.

I claim as my invention The cloak A, having the openings at a, and In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my constructed so as to entirely or nearly entirely hand this 16th day of May, 1882. isolate the atmosphere around the person wearing it, in combination with the detacha- LAFLIN' ble bag or air-cushion B b, all adapted to serve Witnesses:

substantially as and for the purposes herein A. H. GENTNER,

specified. HENRY ELSWORTH. 

